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Sense of Fashion: Get the jump on fall with skinnies, color blocks

Get the jump on fall fashion trends

Jump into fall’s trends by choosing a challenge to work your wardrobe. Fall is traditionally a big season in fashion cycles. Designers use the transition in weather, daylight and school-year kickoffs to roll out bolder changes in designs, patterns and palettes, making fall the one to watch for year-round.

Living in a Southern climate, we have the advantage of waiting through fall predictions to see what trends and fashion follies really make the grade before we take them on.

With the weather finally making the turn to fall, we have been dreaming of new boots, cozy sweaters and wearing our favorite jeans again without sweating. No matter how excited we are for fall’s arrival, reviewing all the latest options can be daunting. So here is a smart way to jump into fall.

First, read up on the new trends and find something that fits with your style. Yes, I always encourage trying something new — in fact, I would challenge all of us to try something new each season. This keeps your style fresh and current; because everyone needs to grow and evolve.

But do I think that every trend fits every woman? Certainly not. Here are three great fall fashion challenges to get you started:

Get skinny

It’s true — we seem to be done with our stint in the 1970s with high-waisted cuts and long, flowing legs. This does not mean you should get rid of all of those pants, but judging by the way the skinny leg has saturated the fashion stations, it’s time to snuggle up to a pair of skinnies. I promise you can find a pair that fits.

This year the denim is full of rich colors, and the stretch technologies have advanced to create the perfect shape — no matter what you are made with. Give it a try, and ask your stylist to help; they have tried them all on already and know what to recommend for each body shape!

Get the point

Shoes vary so much that this can’t truly be called a trend, but it is in fashion again to have that long, pointed toe. While I personally love the almond toe the best, the pointed toe shoe has its purposes.

First of all, it is lengthening. Add a pointed flat to your skinny-leg outfit and you have just adjusted the line and the focal point.

Since the point is not at all the natural shape of your toes, remember to try them on first.

You will need them in material that flexes and molds to your foot. Beware the ones that are too soft and tend to crease just after the toe; they can fold up that point.

Get blocked

Since spring was over six months ago, you have by now mastered color blocking. These have not been months wasted — you should immediately apply these skills to fall’s jewel-tone colors.

Add deep jades, greens to amethyst, or block with electric blue using a black and white pattern. If you stuck to solid blocking in spring through summer, remember that you can try color blocking with patterns — lace is a strong texture trend for fall.

Go dark

Nail colors reflect many shifts in seasonal patterns, including colors and moods.

This year we see the nail collections shifting back to dark and vivid colors, eliminating the pastels of spring and away from hot highlighters of summer.

If you stuck to your safer reds throughout last year, then you failed to try the dark nail trend. So next time you visit the nail salon, shock your teenager by selecting something from the darker side!

Try a muted grey or brown for your manicure color and experiment with how this makes the rest of your fall fashion outfit pop. Remember, if it’s not you, then take it off after three days — but give it a try.

Trends work because they become popular, so remember there is something for everyone, but you don’t need to have them all. If these options are too fashion-stale for you, then you are already on track. For fashionistas, you will need to hunt down something new to experiment with and report the effect.

Follow a New York fashion blog and check out the streetwear, or visit your favorite boutique to hear what’s new.

Every season brings something we can learn from, even if what we learn is what works just for us.

Contact Erin Ebert at fashionistastylesense@gmail.com or go to savannahnow.com/blogs/fashion.